Latest news with #MenangNoongar
West Australian
5 days ago
- General
- West Australian
Hundreds of historical artefacts unearthed during archaeological dig at Strawberry Hill at Barmup
More than 400 artefacts — including pieces of porcelain, slate and teeth — have been found during an eight-day archaeological dig at WA's oldest colonial farm, Strawberry Hill at Barmup. The project manager of the National Trust-owned site, Michael Wells, said the primary objective of the dig was to locate the flagstones that once formed the floor of old stables that were built almost 200 years ago at the Albany property. 'We didn't succeed in that so it remains a mystery as to whether those flagstones are still there but there was lots of other things found by the archaeologists,' he said. 'I believe there was about 400 artefacts, mostly just small items, that were uncovered and then they're going to be analysed and I'm sure they're going to help us to understand the history of Strawberry Hill at Barmup.' Marbles, fragments of porcelain, glass, slate and what are believed to be horse teeth were among the hundreds of items the team sifted through. Conducted by a team of three architects from May 22-29, the dig was focused on the areas to the west and east of the main house to ensure no heritage items or structures would be damaged during upcoming infrastructure upgrades. As well as the flagstones, the team were searching for remains of an old veranda that was once attached to the main house. The property was established in 1826 as a government farm before being developed into the family home for one of Albany's earliest residents, Sir Richard Spencer. 'What I loved about this whole thing is just the insight that it gives us into what it might've been like there in the 1830s,' Mr Wells said. 'I mean it was a working farm and they didn't have motorcars so of course they had horses. They needed a place to keep the horses so that conjures up all sorts of images and then moving forward in time, the remains of those stables were still there until the late 70s we believe. 'It went through a lot of transitions and it went from being used by horses to being used to repair motorcars and I think possibly to store motorcars, so it's a pretty interesting site which has got a lot to tell us about the long and interesting history of Strawberry Hill.' The site demonstrates many firsts for WA: first farm, first farmhouse, and first two-storey building. Before earning those titles it was a highly significant meeting place for Menang Noongar people, a fact honoured by the presence of Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar Aboriginal Corporation staff members at the dig, who kept an eye out for any significant Indigenous artefacts that may be unearthed. Mr Wells said though the findings still needed to be analysed, he hoped the artefacts could serve as part of the heritage property's attraction. 'We're moving towards a point next year when Strawberry Hill is gonna be transformed into quite a different place and we're really determined to make it a tourism drawcard the way that it isn't now,' he said. 'Artefacts like these can potentially be put on display and they can help to evoke for visitors that combination of colonial and Aboriginal history.'
ABC News
7 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
Brain Rot: Is there any proof your phone is destroying your attention span?
Everyone seems to have a hunch that their phone is destroying their attention span, but is there any science to back it up? In episode one of Brain Rot, we're doing our best to focus on the topic of attention for a full 25 minutes — and find out what's actually happening in your brain every time your phone buzzes or dings. Is brain rot a real thing? Or just another moral panic? And how do you know when your own screen use has gone too far? Brain Rot is a new five part series from the ABC's Science Friction about how tech is changing our brains, hosted by Ange Lavoipierre. Guests: Anna Seirian CEO, Internet People Dr Mark Williams Professor, Macquarie University; Cognitive neuroscientist Michoel Moshel Clinical Neuropsychologist Registrar; Phd Candidate, Macquarie University Professor Marion Thain Professor of Culture and Technology, University of Edinburgh; Director, Edinburgh Futures Institute Credits: Presenter: Ange Lavoipierre Presenter: Ange Lavoipierre Producer: Fiona Pepper Producer: Fiona Pepper Senior Producer: James Bullen Senior Producer: James Bullen Sound Engineer: Brendan O'Neill This story was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Menang Noongar peoples. More information: Neuropsychological Deficits in Disordered Screen Use Behaviours: A Systematic Review and Meta‑Analysis - Neuropsychology Review, 2024. Do we have your attention? How people focus and live in the modern information environment - King's College London, 2022. Internet addiction-induced brain structure and function alterations: a systematic review and meta-analysis of voxel-based morphometry and resting-state functional connectivity studies - Brain Imaging and Behavior, 2023.
West Australian
30-05-2025
- General
- West Australian
Middleton Beach foreshore designers earn award of excellence from Australian Institute of Architects
Marrying natural beauty with pragmatic place making has earned the designers of the Middleton Beach Foreshore an award of excellence from the WA Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects. The project, designed by the City of Albany and See Design, was successful in the civic landscape category and honoured at a ceremony held at the Royal Perth Yacht Club on Friday. 'Binalup / Middleton Beach is one of Western Australia's most iconic and cherished coastal destinations, and this award is a testament to what's possible when good design is grounded in community, culture and care for the environment,' Mayor Greg Stocks said. 'The Foreshore Enhancement Project has transformed Binalup into a more resilient, functional and beautiful public space, and we're proud to have worked in close partnership with See Design Studio to design and deliver it. 'To receive this recognition from the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects reinforces how important this project is — not just for Albany, but as an example of civic landscape done well.' See Design director Eoin Gladish said the project had a personal significance for him. 'I have wonderful childhood memories of Middleton Beach and I relished the opportunity to create a design to reinvigorate this cherished coastline,' he said. 'First and foremost, we design for people. 'It's really exciting to see the local community embracing and engaging with the waterfront — whether they're cycling, walking, exercising, picnicking or just relaxing. 'That's my greatest reward.' The Middleton Beach foreshore was praised for the designers' selection of materials and their response to erosion of the coastline. 'The design leverages the site's natural beauty and applies a restrained, elegant material palette to shape a series of multifunctional public spaces that improve beach access and amenity,' the jury said. It was also applauded for the way it recognised the area's cultural significance to the Menang Noongar people. 'The project respects its deep history while supporting Middleton Beach as a shared and enduring public space,' the jury said. The foreshore also received a regional achievement award. The design incorporated a buried seawall to protect against erosion and featured upgraded pathways, seating and gathering spaces. 'Middleton Beach foreshore is one of Albany's most cherished coastal destinations, valued for its community, cultural, and environmental significance,' the jury said. 'The renewal enhances public access, coastal protection, and ecological resilience while preserving its role as a gathering place.' Other winners on the night were Bunbury's Maidens Reserve which took home the most prestigious award, the WA Medal. Perth's Oval at Subi East earned an award of excellence in the category of cultural heritage as well as two landscape architecture awards in the civic landscape, and parks and open spaces sections.
West Australian
28-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Nationals MLA for Albany Scott Leary delivers moving inaugural speech in State Parliament
Albany's new MLA Scott Leary delivered a moving inaugural address in State Parliament last week, drawing laughter and even a collective 'aw' from the sitting members. Mr Leary's 17-minute speech on May 20 began with an apology after his phone went off during the preceding speech: 'As a volunteer firefighter in the Kalgan Volunteer Fire Brigade you can have whatever setting you like on the phone, but the BART system will override it.' In the wide-ranging address, Mr Leary described his humble journey into politics, from leaving school after Year 10 to rising through the corporate ranks at Westpac and Albany City Motors. 'As a proposed used car salesman — although I was a director and a financial controller — I am grateful that the chamber has lawyers and real estate agents to keep me off the bottom of the ladder,' he said to chuckles from the sitting members. He also laid out his priorities as Albany's first Nationals MLA in 70 years: regional health care, roads and transport links, backing local business, opportunities for young people, protecting the environment and increasing housing stock. He detailed the 'extraordinary natural beauty and immense historical significance' of the electorate, touching on the ancient and continuing custodianship of the land by the Menang Noongar people, the city's forthcoming bicentenary, and its 'proud' role as the home of the Anzac. 'Albany has always been central to Western Australia's story,' he said. 'It is a story of discovery, of courage, of community. 'Together, with pride in our past and hope in our future, we will write its next and greatest chapters.' He also noted the region's economic weight, though unfortunately appeared to get his facts wrong, saying that 'Our region makes up approximately 20 per cent of the number of Western Australians who live outside the greater metro area, but we contribute up to 60 per cent of the State's GDP.' The Great Southern makes up 9 per cent of the State's regional population and contributes 1.3 per cent to its gross regional product, according to data published by the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation in its 2024 WA Economic Profile. But it wasn't all business for the former financial director, who took the time to thank the family members, friends, colleagues and mentors who had helped him along the way, choking up as he spoke of his 'amazing' sons. 'Of all the things I have done in my life, the greatest achievement I am most proud of is the sons and the men they have become,' Mr Leary said, drawing a collective 'aw' from the audience. He went on to thank the people of Albany, Mt Barker and the Great Southern for placing their trust in him, which he said he carries 'with deep humility and a fierce determination to serve'. 'Today is one of the proudest days of my life,' he said. Nationals leader Shane Love and Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas were among the throng surrounding Mr Leary with Mr Zempilas caught on the mic telling the newly elected member 'beautiful speech, well done'.
The Guardian
20-05-2025
- The Guardian
Walk with the world's oldest living culture in Western Australia
There are few places on Earth where stories stretch back 60,000 years, and even fewer where those stories are still being lived, told and passed down through generations. Western Australia is one of those rare places: a vast, wild land where the world's oldest continuous living culture invites travellers not just to admire the stunning landscape they walk through, but to connect with it. Across the state, from the rugged red cliffs of the Kimberley to the turquoise waters of the South West, a growing number of Aboriginal tourism experiences offer visitors the opportunity to connect deeply with self, with others and with country. Designed for all ages, the tours are fun, hands-on and moving. To walk alongside an Aboriginal guide in WA is to see the land not just for what it is, but for everything it holds: knowledge, culture, spirituality and identity. In the state's South West, two tour operators – Kurrah Mia in Albany and Koomal Dreaming in the Margaret River region – offer immersive journeys that bring the beauty of this incredible place to life through the eyes of its traditional custodians. Aboriginal Walking Tour with Kurrah Mia, Denmark. Photo credit: Base Imagery. Near the coastal city of Albany, also known as Kinjarling, or 'place of rain', the team at Kurrah Mia welcomes visitors to walk in the footsteps of the Menang Noongar people. Guided tours pass on knowledge from elders to the next generation and to all who walk with them on country. On the Mount Clarence Walking Tour, guests walk with an experienced Menang guide, learning how the Menang people used ochre, plants, stone, bone and fire in daily life, as tools for hunting, medicine, storytelling and survival. Every element of the landscape has purpose and meaning, from the native flora that once healed wounds to the birds whose call signals change with each season. The Aboriginal Walking Tour to Quaranup takes guests deeper still, following ancient paths to Quaranup (or Kwooranup – place of the brush-tailed wallaby). It's here that you begin to understand how closely the Menang people lived in rhythm with the tides and seasons. Among granite outcrops and sea-swept cliffs, tour participants discover ancient stone structures, engravings, waterholes and artefacts left untouched by time. When the tides allow, the group ventures to the rocks to forage for shellfish, just as the ancestors once did. Dreaming stories, woven with culture and song, bring the walks to life and cast the land in a new light. The experience isn't just about what you see; it's about what you begin to feel. Kurrah Mia's tours are an invitation to slow down, listen and start to understand the bush as a vibrant, living classroom. Through bush food tastings and lessons in native medicine plants, visitors gain an understanding of how the Menang people thrived here for tens of thousands of years – long before Albany became a port town and maps drew lines across the landscape. Aboriginal Cultural Tour at Ngilgi Cave Ancient Lands Experience with Josh Whiteland from Koomal Dreaming. Photo credit: Tourism Western Australia. Further west, in the picturesque Margaret River Region, the founder of Koomal Dreaming, Josh 'Koomal' Whiteland, offers guests a deeply personal encounter with Wadandi and Bibbulmun country. The Aboriginal Food, Cave and Didge Tour is a multisensory experience that begins with a gentle walk through native bush, where guests learn to identify seasonal foods and medicinal plants that have nourished generations. Then, the journey moves underground into Ngilgi Cave, a sacred site where time seems to slow down. A gifted storyteller, musician and cultural custodian, Josh shares Dreaming stories passed down by his ancestors. His didgeridoo performance, in the cave's cool, cathedral-like chambers, reverberates with a haunting, ancient beauty. After emerging from the cave, it's time to gather around the campfire to feast on the likes of kangaroo, emu and seasonal bush foods such as saltbush and quandong – all paired with local Margaret River wines and beers. For an experience of a different kind, the Twilight Didgeridoo Cave Tour invites guests into Ngilgi Cave after hours. As the sun sets above ground, the cave becomes a sanctuary of sound and story. This 90-minute tour ends in stillness, with the soft glow of lanterns casting shadows on the limestone walls while the didgeridoo speaks its ancient song. On his tours, Josh encourages guests to reflect on their place in the world, their responsibilities to nature and the importance of keeping culture alive. Aboriginal Walking Tour with Kurrah Mia, Denmark. Photo credit: Base Imagery. Whether you're exploring cultural sites, learning about bush foods or listening to elders share history, these guided Aboriginal tours give context and depth to the landscape around you. For travellers who want to understand more than just the scenery, the tours offer a powerful way to see the South West region through a different lens – and to better understand the deep cultural connections that continue to shape life across Western Australia. Discover more at
